To probe wife’s murder; Ex-mayor taps CIDG, also eyes NBI

CEBU, Philippines - The former mayor of Placer, Surigao Del Norte has vowed to exhaust all means to identify the people behind the shooting to death of his wife Crisanta Lauro.

Charry Mangacop appeared before the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 7 and the Cebu City Police Office yesterday to seek help for the early solution of the crime.

“Habang buhay ako, I’ll not stop looking for the suspects,” said Mangacop.

He came from Manila together with his parents and close relatives. He purposely come to Cebu to supposedly claim Lauro’s body. However, it was already taken by Mayor Herminigildo Betonio III to his hometown in Pio V. Corpus, Masbate. Betonio is the live-in partner of Lauro.

Mangacop said he has the legal right to claim Lauro’s body because he is the legal husband. He said their marriage has not been annulled contrary to earlier reports.  According to him, Lauro left their house together with their four children on December 14, 2012. Since then he had been looking for them until he received information about the ambush that killed his wife.

Under the Islam rules, it is only the husband who can file a divorce with his wife’s consent. The woman cannot divorce her husband, Mangacop explained.

 â€œHindi masukod ang love nako for my wife. Mahal ko siya. Para siyang prinsesa,” Mangacop told reporters.

Although not directly saying it, Mangacop, who is 65 years old, cited his old age and body injuries as possible reasons why Lauro has eloped with another man.

Mangacop narrated that after being hospitalized in Butuan for three months because of a fractured bone in his left leg, he went home in December to supposedly spend the holidays with his family but was only surprised to learn that Lauro, their kids, and even his cars registered under Lauro’s name, were no longer around.

“Three days ko way tulog. Naa ko’y mga nadunggan nga nakigpuyo na siya og lain, pero wa nako tuohi dayon kay estorya ra ug nahibaw-an na lang nako nga napusilan siya,” Mangacop said.

Mangacop said he bears no grudge against Betonio, but he is requesting the latter to return his four children and his four cars.

“Good mayor, I’m requesting you, iyong mga anak ko na lang pati iyong sakyanan namin diyan na nakapangalan sa akin at sa aking asawa, you have to return them. You have to return to the proper authority. Iyon lang. Hindi ako galit sa’yo. Nawala naman na ang asawa ko at hindi na natin mababalik iyon,” said Mangacop.

Mangacop denied suspicions that he is financing the campaign of Betonio’s political opponent in Pio V. Corpus. There were information that Mangacop donated campaign materials for mayoralty candidate Allan Lapisana, Betonio’s rival in the coming May elections.

 â€œI’m not financing. Donation lang iyon, para sa tarpaulin siguro,” said Mangacop.

Mangacop said he also plans to seek the help of the National Bureau of Investigation. — (FREEMAN)